WORCESTERSHIRE'S director of cricket Tom Moody is desperately hoping his side have better luck with the weather so they will have a chance to topple leaders Gloucestershire in the Frizzell County Championship match at New Road tomorrow.

The County have been dogged by rain and after three matches they find themselves second from bottom in division two.

Draws with Hampshire, Northants and Durham have left them with the task of trying to beat the weather and claw their way up the table.

"There's a good spirit and the guys are desperate to get some cricket and, more importantly, some sunshine," said Moody.

Gloucestershire will arrive at New Road 17 points clear at the top of the table following two wins and three draws in their opening five matches.

Moody said: "They have got a decent side. I think Jonty Rhodes has really given them a new spark. He's a fine cricketer there's no question about that. I think he has got the wheels in motion down there.

"Their batting line-up, headed by Craig Spearman at the top of the order, allows them to take a positive approach. That way it allows you more time to bowl teams out if you are getting your runs reasonably quickly.

"You're getting more time to whittle through the 20 wickets you need to win a game. Unfortunately we haven't had that opportunity."

The match provides Philip Weston with the chance to make his first appearance at New Road following his close-season move from the County. He has already faced the Worcestershire attack this term in a National League Division One clash at Bristol last month when he managed just seven before Moody's troops went on to clinch a 35 run win under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Worcestershire are expected to name the same side which almost pulled off victory in a rain-ravaged match against Durham at Stockton which ended in a soggy draw on Saturday.

n Worcestershire all-rounder Andrew Hall is included in South Africa's one-day squad for the NatWest Triangular series against England and Zimbabwe starting on June 26. The final is at Lord's on Saturday, July 12.